By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

It didn’t take long for state-hired Morgan Brothers Construction from LaCrosse, Kansas to dig up the bricks on the east-middle side of S. Main Street from Eighth to Tenth Street last week in Pratt. Now concrete replacement begins on a project that has been in the works for some time.

Last month, the City of Pratt was awarded a grant to replace the center 24’ of brick to concrete for two blocks on South Main Street. The project is part of a 90/10 funding match from KDOT, according to City of Pratt Maintenance Director Russ Rambat.

Rambat said the project will create smooth driving lines like those on N. Main Street in Pratt, leaving the iconic bricks for parking on the sides. An additional grant has been applied for by the city that would fund the same project for Sixth through Eighth Street with the 90/10 match from KDOT.

Stop lights and one-lane traffic has created congestion in the area of construction but most motorists are cooperating, Rambat said.

“It’s amazing how fast the work is going, and the project has reduced traffic on S. Main significantly,” Rambat said. “We have scheduled 65 working days, but they may be done sooner than if we continue to have cooperation from Mother Nature.”

Rambat said that bricks removed from Main Street are available at 10th and Jackson across from the City Street Department building. These are restricted to Pratt County taxpayers only and must be loaded by hand. No big equipment allowed for loading, bricks available on a first come, first serve basis only.